Franco at InterContinental Durrat Al-Riyadh in Banban district is a recently opened Italian trattoria-style restaurant. The open kitchen and baking area allow the fragrance of bread and cheese to drift into the room, which sets the tone before the food arrives.
I started with the antipasti selection, which included marinated octopus, bruschetta, grilled artichokes, sundried tomato, wild mushrooms, rocket, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Vitello tonnato followed, a sliced veal with a tuna-caper sauce. Melanzane alla parmigiana, made with eggplant, mozzarella, and tomato sauce, were also served with the starters.
These dishes came in small portions, with some leaning more toward familiar flavors rather than being particularly distinctive. It’s a must-try place for anyone who wants to experience authentic Italian flavors.
From the pizza section, options like quattro formaggi, spicy salami, and bresaola were available. The base was steady across the selections, with variation mainly coming from toppings.
I tried the pasta selection, starting with the gnocchi alla sorrentina, which had a soft texture with tomato and mozzarella coming through in each bite. The pasta alla puttanesca had a sharper taste with olives, capers, and anchovies, giving it more depth compared to the others. The pesto pasta was more straightforward, keeping to a familiar combination of basil and cheese.
For mains, the options were limited, but the dishes available were served in good portions and were enough to satisfy hunger.
Mediterranean sea bass was served with vegetables and olive sauce. The veal scallopini came with spaghetti pomodoro, while the ossobuco was paired with vegetables and pasta.
Most of the dishes followed traditional preparation without major deviation from expected Italian style.
Don’t forget to try their panna cotta with berries and the Italian ice cup with sorbet and whipped cream, along with their homemade ice cream, available in different flavors.
Dining and Cooking